The Government could "fast track" migrant worker visa applications
for trusted employers within months, it has emerged.

The Home Office is considering allowing employers who have a strong track record of compliance with immigration law to skip a series of bureaucratic hoops when hiring migrant workers.

At present, employers wishing to hire foreign workers from outside the EU have to deliver reams of paperwork to the authorities detailing the individual's right to work in the UK, such as proof of their degree.

The rules are part of a strict points-based immigration system, whereby employers have to sponsor each migrant worker they take on.

The Government confirmed it was considering relaxing the rules for trusted employers, but refused to go into further detail ahead of the Budget.

However, according to employment law firm Penningtons, “good” employers could be required to hand over less evidence of eligibility in order to hire migrant workers.

Organisations that make it onto the trusted Home Office list would also have access to a dedicated helpline for support under the potential plans, the law firm said.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) welcomed the proposals, stating anything that helps to reduce paperwork in hiring migrant workers will "fast track" the process and make it less burdensome.

Adam Marshall, director of policy at the BCC, said: “This would cut down on the amount of paperwork and makes it quicker for employers to hire [migrant workers].”

The Home Office already runs a similar system for institutions bringing overseas students to the UK, but it is yet to decide how many firms could become eligible for “trusted status” under Tier 2 of the points-based system.

Penningtons said one proposal included limiting the scheme to the top 50 companies in the UK based on turnover.

However, it warned this would exclude thousands of trustworthy employers and small firms in particular would miss out on the red tape reduction.

Philip Barth, an immigration lawyer at Penningtons, said: “Limiting it to the top 50 companies based on revenue is totally unfair.”

But he added the scheme would help the Government to “focus their compliance activity on those firms that are more risky”.

A spokesman for the UK Border Agency said: “We have been discussing a range of options with the business sector and interested parties, including the possibility of introducing a highly trusted employer scheme for Tier 2.”

The plans could be introduced by the summer, following the Government's cap on immigration which is being introduced in April.